Effects of a 3 strain -based direct-fed microbial and dietary fiber concentration on growth performance and expression of genes related to absorption and metabolism of volatile fatty acids in weanling pigs

Different Intestinal Microbiota with Growth Stages of Three-Breed Hybrid Pig

The changes of intestinal microbiota are closely related to the growth and development of animals. The current study is aimed at exploring the composition of the microbial community of pigs at different growth stages. Fresh fecal samples of three-breed hybrid pigs at three developmental stages (60, 120, and 180 days of age) were collected. The microbial composition was analyzed based on the 16S rDNA gene of bacteria Illumina NovaSeq sequencing platform. The results showed that the intestinal microbiota of pigs was distributed in 22 phyla, 46 classes, 84 orders, 147 families, and 287 genera. Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Spirochaetae, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla. Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, SMB53, Oscillospira, and Prevotella were the dominant genera. Among them, the abundance of Lactobacillus and SMB53 increased first and then decreased, while the change of Oscillospira was opposite. In addition, the abundance of Streptococcus increased while that of Prevotella decreased gradually. Moreover, with the increase of time and body weight, the microbial diversity showed a decreasing trend. In conclusion, the intestinal microbial composition of the three-breed hybrid pigs was relatively stable during the fattening stage, but there were significant differences in abundance.

Prebiotics and β-Glucan as gut modifier feed additives in modulation of growth performance, protein utilization status and dry matter and lactose digestibility in weanling pigs

There are growing interests in developing novel gut modifier feed additives and alternative therapeutics to replace antimicrobials to enhance efficiency of nutrient utilization and to address the antimicrobial resistance threat to public health facing the global pork production. Biological mechanisms of supplementing lactose for enhancing weanling pig growth and nitrogen utilization are unclear. Thus, this study was prompted to determine effects of dietary supplementation of 3 prebiotics and oat β-glucan vs. a sub-therapeutic antibiotic on growth performance, whole-body protein utilization status, the apparent total tract dry matter (DM) and lactose digestibility in weanling pigs fed corn and soybean meal (SBM)-based diets. Six experimental diets were formulated with corn (40%), SBM (28%) and supplemented with dried whey powder (20%) and fish meal (9%) with titanium oxide (0.30%) as the digestibility marker. Diet 1 (NC, negative control), as the basal diet, contained no antibiotics and no supplemental prebiotics or β-glucan. Diet 2 (PC, positive control), contained an antibiotic premix (Lincomix-44 at 0.10%) in the basal diet at the expense of cornstarch. Diets 3, 5 and 6 contained 0.75% of the three test prebiotics of retrograded cornstarch (Diet 3), Fibersol-2 (Diet 5, a modified digestion-resistant maltodextrin) and inulin (Diet 6), and the viscous soluble fiber oat β-glucan (Diet 4), respectively, at the expense of cornstarch. A total of 144 Yorkshire pigs, at the age of 21 days (d) and an average body weight (BW) of 5.5 kg, were allocated to 12 floor pens with 3 barrows and 3 gilts per pen, and fed one of the 6 diets for 21 d in 2 study blocks according to a completely randomized block design. Initial and final pig BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), representative pig plasma urea concentration as well as the apparent total tract DM and lactose digestibility during d 8-15 were measured. Analyses of variances, Dunnett’s and Tukey’s tests were conducted on the endpoints by using the SAS mixed model. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in ADG, ADFI, feed to gain ratio, plasma urea concentration, the apparent total tract apparent DM and lactose digestibility and the predicted whole-gut lactase digestive capacity among the diets, as examined by the Tukey’s test. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in these endpoints between each of the four treatment diets and the NC or the PC diet as examined by the Dunnett’s test. The total tract lactose digestibility was determined to be at 100%. The predicted whole-gut lactase digestive capacity was about eight times of the daily lactose intake when dietary lactose contents were supplemented at 10 - 12% (as-fed basis). In conclusion, dietary supplementation (at 0.75%) of the prebiotics and the oat β-glucan did not significantly affect the major growth performance endpoints, whole-body protein utilization status as well as the apparent total tract DM and lactose digestibility in the weanling pigs fed the corn and SBM-based diets. The promoting effect for growth and nitrogen utilization associated with dietary supplementation of lactose is due to the fact that lactose is a completely and rapidly digestible sugar rather than acting as an effective prebiotic in weanling pig nutrition.

Multispecies probiotics alter fecal short-chain fatty acids and lactate levels in weaned pigs by modulating gut microbiota

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolic products produced during the microbial fermentation of non-digestible fibers and play an important role in metabolic homeostasis and overall gut health. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with multispecies probiotics (MSPs) containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Levilactobacillus brevis on the gut microbiota, and fecal SCFAs and lactate levels of weaned pigs. A total of 38 pigs weaned at 4 weeks of age were fed either a basal diet or a diet supplemented with MSPs for 6 weeks. MSP administration significantly increased the fecal concentrations of lactate (2.3-fold; p < 0.01), acetate (1.8-fold; p < 0.05), and formate (1.4-fold; p < 0.05). Moreover, MSP supplementation altered the gut microbiota of the pigs by significantly increasing the population of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Olsenella, Catonella, Catenibacterium, Acidaminococcus, and Ruminococcaceae. MSP supplementation also decreased the abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia and Chlamydia. The modulation of the gut microbiota was observed to be strongly correlated with the changes in fecal SCFAs and lactate levels. Furthermore, we found changes in the functional pathways present within the gut, which supports our findings that MSP modulates the gut microbiota and SCFAs levels in pigs. The results support the potential use of MSPs to improve the gut health of animals by modulating SCFAs production.

Effects of Defatted Rice Bran Inclusion Level on Nutrient Digestibility and Growth Performance of Different Body Weight Pigs

Simple Summary

Feed grain, including corn and soybean meal, prices, which are the company’s primary raw materials, have fluctuated and escalated in recent years. Defatted rice bran, an abundant and underutilized agricultural coproduct of the paddy rice, can be used as a replacement. Additionally, nitrogen emitted as ammonia from swine manure has a negative effect on ambient air quality. This study evaluated the effects of defatted rice bran inclusion level in low-protein diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of different body weight pigs. Results showed that there is no difference for average daily gain for three weight stages, it meant that defatted rice bran could be used as a replacement for corns and soybean meal. Nutrient digestibility has significant difference. The study supported some theoretical foundation for the application of defatted rice bran.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of low-protein diet prepared with different levels of defatted rice bran (DFRB) and weight stages on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing–finishing pigs. The animal experiment included three stages. A total of 240 growing pigs with an initial body weight of 28.06 ± 8.56 kg for stage 1 were allocated to five diets including one control group and four DFRB diets supplemented with 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% DFRB, respectively. The 192 crossbred pigs with initial body weights of 55.03 ± 7.31 kg and 74.55 ± 9.10 kg were selected for stage 2 and stage 3, respectively. Pigs were allocated to four diets including one control group and three DFRB diets supplemented with 10%, 15% and 20% DFRB, respectively. The results showed that with the increase in DFEB intake, the gain: feed was linearly increased (p < 0.05), and the average daily feed intake tended to linearly decrease (p = 0.06) in stage 1. Except for the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of acid detergent fiber (ADF) in stage 3, levels of DFRB had significant effects on the ATTD of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ADF in three weight stages. In stage 1, with the increase in levels of DFRB, the ATTD of NDF and hemicellulose were firstly increased and then decreased (p < 0.01). In stage 2, with the increasing levels of DFRB, the ATTD of DM, ash and cellulose were firstly increased and then decreased (p < 0.01). In stage 3, the ATTD of GE, DM, ash, NDF and hemicellulose decreased linearly with the increase in levels of DFRB (p < 0.01). Collectively, DFRB could be used as a replacement for corns and soybean meal, and weight stage is important to consider when adjusting the additive proportion.

The effect of fly maggot in pig feeding diets on growth performance and gut microbial balance in Ningxiang pigs

Fly maggot meal has been regarded as one of the substitutes of fish meal and soybean meal in pig feed. However, its effects on pig growth performance and faecal micro-organism remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fly maggot meal on fattening performance, plasma indices related to gut hormones, immunity and faecal microbial communities composition of finishing pigs. A total of 40 Ningxiang fattening pigs were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments and pigs in each group were arranged by control group (CK) diet or 8% maggot meal group (MMG) diet for 45 days respectively. Growth performance, indices of gut hormones and immunity in plasma were evaluated. Microbiota composition in faeces was determined using 16S rDNA Amplicon Sequencing. The results showed that dietary MMG did not affect gut hormones and immune proteins in the trial compared with CK group (p > .05). However, dietary MMG significantly increased average daily gain (ADG). The population of the Firmicutes in MMG treatment was increased, while the percentage of the Bacteroidetes was decreased (p < .05). In particular, the number of Clostridiales related to hydrolyzed sugar and protein were increased (p < .05). It can inhibit the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria, promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and effectively improve the ability of digestion and absorption of nutrients. In conclusion, a diet containing 8% MMG changed the proportion of intestinal micro-organisms in finishing pigs, especially the higher richness of Firmicutes, and promoted the fattening ability of pigs to a certain extent. These changes should benefit finishing pig production during fattening period.

Effects of copper hydroxychloride and distillers dried grains with solubles on intestinal microbial concentration and apparent ileal and total tract digestibility of energy and nutrients by growing pigs1

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Cu hydroxychloride improves nutrient digestibility and alters the concentration of microbial protein in the small intestine or large intestine by pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet or a diet based on corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Twenty-four barrows (33.3 ± 3.4 kg) that had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum were allotted to a 2 × 2 factorial design with 2 levels of DDGS (0% or 45%) and 2 levels of supplemental Cu from Cu hydroxychloride (0 or 150 mg/kg). A 2-period switch back design with the 4 diets and 6 replicate pigs per diet in each period was used resulting in 12 replicate pigs per diet for the 2 periods. The initial 9 d of each period was considered an adaptation period to the experimental diets. For each period, feces were collected on days 10, 11, and 12, and ileal digesta were collected for 8 h on days 13 and 14. Results indicated that inclusion of 45% DDGS to diets reduced (P < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of AA and the AID and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, gross energy, and crude protein. In contrast, inclusion of DDGS to diets increased (P < 0.05) the AID and the ATTD of acid hydrolyzed ether extract and the concentration of microbial protein in the hindgut (P < 0.05). However, the total concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in ileal digesta and in feces from pigs fed the DDGS diets were not different from concentrations in pigs fed diets without DDGS. The AID and ATTD of dry matter, gross energy, and crude protein were not affected by dietary Cu concentrations, but the AID and ATTD of acid hydrolyzed ether extract were greater (P < 0.05) in diets supplemented with Cu hydroxychloride compared with diets without Cu hydroxychloride. There was also a reduction (P < 0.05) in the concentration of microbial protein and a tendency for a reduction (P < 0.10) in the total concentration of VFA in feces when diets were supplemented with Cu hydroxychloride. In conclusion, supplementation of Cu hydroxychloride to diets improved AID and ATTD of acid hydrolyzed ether extract and reduced the concentration of microbial protein in the large intestine and this effect was observed in diets containing DDGS as well as in diets without DDGS.

Technical note: concentrations of soluble, insoluble, and total dietary fiber in feed ingredients determined using Method AOAC 991.43 are not different from values determined using Method AOAC 2011.43 with the AnkomTDF Dietary Fiber Analyzer

The primary objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that concentrations of soluble (SDF), insoluble (IDF), and total dietary fiber (TDF) in feed ingredients used in diets for pigs and poultry analyzed using Method AOAC 2011.25 are greater than values determined using Method AOAC 991.43. A second objective was to determine the variation that may exist among 3 laboratories using the 2 methods with the AnkomTDF Dietary Fiber Analyzer (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY). The 3 laboratories were the Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Center (MAFIC) at China Agricultural University, Trouw Nutrition, and Hans H. Stein Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). All laboratories analyzed SDF and IDF in feed ingredients in duplicate or triplicate using both methods AOAC 991.43 and 2011.25 with the AnkomTDF Dietary Fiber Analyzer. The 9 test ingredients were wheat, soybean meal, rapeseed meal, sugar beet pulp, peas, horse beans, native pea starch, and 2 samples of corn; 1 from Europe and 1 from China. All ingredient samples, with the exception of Chinese corn, were procured by Trouw Nutrition, ground to pass through a 0.5 mm screen, subsampled, and sent to MAFIC and UIUC. Data were analyzed using SDF, IDF, and TDF as response variables, replication as random effect, and method and location as fixed effects over all ingredients and within each ingredient. When averaged among 9 different ingredients, results indicated that SDF, IDF, and TDF values were not different with either method or at any laboratory. However, the concentration of IDF in corn, wheat, peas, and sugar beet pulp determined using Method AOAC 991.43 was greater (P < 0.05) compared with 2011.25. Soluble dietary fiber determined using Method AOAC 2011.25 was greater (P < 0.05) in corn, rapeseed meal, soybean meal, and sugar beet pulp compared with 991.43. There was no difference in TDF determined with either method, except for wheat having greater (P < 0.05) TDF when determined using Method AOAC 991.43. Interlaboratory variation for SDF, IDF, and TDF was 0.38, 0.87, 1.20, respectively, with Method AOAC 991.43 and 0.40, 0.93, and 1.27, respectively, with 2011.25. Therefore, values determined with the AnkomTDF Analyzer are repeatable among laboratories and can be used in feed formulation worldwide. In conclusion, it is recommended that Method AOAC 991.43 be used to determine SDF, IDF, and TDF in feed ingredients and diets for pigs and poultry.

Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis on ileal digestibility of AA and total tract digestibility of CP and gross energy in diets fed to growing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of AA, CP, and GE, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP and GE, and the apparent hindgut digestibility of CP and GE by growing pigs may be improved by supplementing diets with two direct-fed microbials (DFM) containing different Bacillus strains. Twenty-four growing barrows (initial BW: 22.69 ± 1.48 kg) that had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum were individually housed and randomly allotted to a three diet, three period design with 24 pigs and three 21-d periods. There were eight pigs per diet in each period for a total of 24 observations per diet. Three diets that were based on corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles were formulated. The control diet contained no DFM, but two additional diets contained two different Bacillus strains (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus subtilis). Feed was provided in mash form in two daily meals at 0800 and 1600 hours. The initial 12 d of each period was the adaptation period to the diet. Fecal and urine samples were collected from days 13 to 18, and ileal digesta were collected for 8 h on days 20 and 21. Results indicated that there were no differences among diets in ATTD of CP, but the AID of CP was reduced (P < 0.05) for the B. subtilis diet compared with control and B. amyloliquefaciens diets. Therefore, the apparent hindgut digestibility of CP was greater (P < 0.005) in pigs fed the B. subtilis diet compared with the other diets. The AID of total indispensable, total dispensable, and total AA was greater (P < 0.05) in the B. amyloliquefaciens diet compared with the control diet. There were no differences among diets in ATTD of GE, but the AID of GE was greater for the B. amyloliquefaciens diet than for the control and the B. subtilis diets (P < 0.001). Therefore, the apparent hindgut digestibility of GE was less (P < 0.05) in the B. amyloliquefaciens diet compared with the other diets. The DE (DM basis) for the B. subtilis diet was greater (P < 0.05) compared with the control and the B. amyloliquefaciens diets. In conclusion, supplementation of Bacillus spp. to diets fed to growing pigs may increase the AID of AA and GE, but there appears to be differences among strains of Bacillus spp. in their impact on AA and energy digestibility.

Combination of Clostridium butyricum and Corn Bran Optimized Intestinal Microbial Fermentation Using a Weaned Pig Model

Experimental manipulation of the intestinal microbiota influences health of the host and is a common application for synbiotics. Here Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum, C.B) combined with corn bran (C.B + Bran) was taken as the synbiotics application in a waned pig model to investigate its regulation of intestinal health over 28 days postweaning. Growth performance, fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bacterial community were evaluated at day 14 and day 28 of the trial. Although the C.B + Bran treatment has no significant effects on growth performance (P > 0.05), it optimized the composition of intestinal bacteria, mainly represented by increased acetate-producing bacteria and decreased pathogens. Microbial fermentation in the intestine showed a shift from low acetate and isovalerate production on day 14 to enhanced acetate production on day 28 in the C.B + Bran treatment. Thus, C.B and corn bran promoted intestinal microbial fermentation and optimized the microbial community for pigs at an early age. These findings provide perspectives on the advantages of synbiotics as a new approach for effective utilization of corn barn.

Dietary Corn Bran Altered the Diversity of Microbial Communities and Cytokine Production in Weaned Pigs

Corn bran (CB) has been used as an ingredient for pigs, but the underlying mechanisms that improve gut health is less clear. This study was conducted to investigate effects of dietary CB on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, plasma indices related to gut hormones and immunity, gut microbiota composition, and fermentation products in weaned pigs. A total of 60 weaned pigs were allocated to two dietary treatments, and piglets in each group received control (CON) diet or 5% CB diet for 28 days. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, indices of gut hormones and immunity in plasma were evaluated. Microbiota composition in feces was determined using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and fermentation products were measured by high-performance ion chromatography. The results showed that dietary CB did not affect growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut hormones, or fermentation products in the trial (P > 0.05). There was an increased response to CB inclusion on interleukin-10 production (P < 0.05). On day 28, piglets fed dietary CB had a higher shannon index (P < 0.05). The population of the Firmicutes in CB treatment were decreased (P < 0.05), while the percentage of the Bacteroidetes were increased (P < 0.05). In particular, the populations of Eubacterium corprostanoligenes, Pevotella, and Fibrobacter related to polysaccharide fermentation of cereal bran were increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a post-weaning diet containing 5% CB increased intestinal microbial diversity, especially higher richness of fibrolytic bacteria, and promoted anti-inflammatory response to some extent in piglets, these changes should facilitate the adaptation of the digestive system of piglets in the subsequent growing phases.

Formulation of Broiler Chicken Feeds Using Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a coproduct of corn-based ethanol production that can be a valuable source of energy, digestible amino acids, and available phosphorus in poultry feeds. Dietary incorporation of DDGS reduces the amount of primary ingredients such as corn and soybean meal needed to formulate poultry diets, improving the sustainability of both biofuel and poultry production. The nutritional value of DDGS has been extensively evaluated since it became increasingly available to feed producers in the early 2000s, but evolving methods of ethanol production and coproduct fractionation necessitate its continued characterization. Attempts to relate nutrient utilization of DDGS to its chemical composition have revealed that fiber content is a primary determinant of dietary energy value of DDGS for poultry. Distillers corn oil, which is extracted from thin stillage during production of distillers grains, can also be supplemented into poultry diets as an energy-dense lipid source in place of animal fats or other vegetable-based oils. Poultry feeding practices in the United States are also evolving, including increased adoption of all vegetable-based diets and reduced use of in-feed antimicrobials. Therefore, further characterization of both the nutritional value of DDGS and its impact on gastrointestinal health will support its continued use in poultry diets.

Non-antibiotic feed additives in diets for pigs: A review

A number of feed additives are marketed to assist in boosting the pigs' immune system, regulate gut microbiota, and reduce negative impacts of weaning and other environmental challenges. The most commonly used feed additives include acidifiers, zinc and copper, prebiotics, direct-fed microbials, yeast products, nucleotides, and plant extracts. Inclusion of pharmacological levels of zinc and copper, certain acidifiers, and several plant extracts have been reported to result in improved pig performance or improved immune function of pigs. It is also possible that use of prebiotics, direct-fed microbials, yeast, and nucleotides may have positive impacts on pig performance, but results have been less consistent and there is a need for more research in this area.

Application of Complex Probiotics in Swine Nutrition – A Review

The use of probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics for farm animals is gaining more and more interest during recent years. Probiotics are living microorganisms that provide a wide variety of health benefits to the host when ingested in adequate amounts. The bacterial strains most frequently used as probiotic agents are Bacillus, lactic acid bacteria, Enterococcus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It has been suggested that multi-strain probiotics might be more effective than mono-strain probiotics due to the additive and synergistic effects, and many previous studies demonstrated that dietary complex probiotics supplementation had growth promoting effects on pigs. However, the effect of complex probiotics in practice is not always consistent, the effect of probiotic could be affected by strain composition, dosage, feed formula, and the age of animals. In this review, we will give an overview on the current use of complex probiotics for weaning, growing and finishing pigs and sows.

Effect of Postpartum Endocrine Function, Metabolism, and Mastitis on Fertility in High-Yielding Cows – A Review

Decreasing fertility in dairy cows, especially in the highest yielders, may be due to excessive metabolic burdens placed on their bodies. Many authors attribute decreasing reproductive efficiency in high-yielding cows to energy deficiencies in early lactation and to associated metabolic and hormonal disorders. The complexity of the issues involved in the efficient reproductive management of cows and the scientifically and practically important understanding of factors affecting fertility in high-producing cows mandate continuous updating of existing knowledge. The aim of this study was to present the effect of postpartum endocrine function, metabolism, and mastitis on fertility in high-yielding cows. Gaining insight into these mechanisms and their relationships with factors such as nutrition and milk yield appears to be crucial for improving dairy cow fertility.

Dietary Corn Bran Fermented by Bacillus subtilis MA139 Decreased Gut Cellulolytic Bacteria and Microbiota Diversity in Finishing Pigs

Solid-state fermentation of feedstuffs by Bacillus subtilis MA139 can reduce insoluble dietary fiber content in vitro and improve growth performance in pigs. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary corn bran (CB) fermented by B. subtilis on growth performance and gut microbiota composition in finishing pigs. A total of 60 finishing pigs were allocated to 3 dietary treatments consisting of a control (CON) diet, a 10% CB diet, and a 10% fermented CB (FCB) diet in a 21 d feeding trial. Growth performance and nutrient digestibility were evaluated. Fecal samples were determined for bacterial community diversity by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The dietary CB and FCB did not affect growth performance of finishing pigs. The digestibility of organic matter was decreased in both CB and FCB treatments compared with CON group (P < 0.05). The α-diversity for bacterial community analysis of Chao 1 in FCB treatment was lower than CON treatment (P < 0.05). The Fibrobacteres phylum belongs to cellulolytic bacteria was isolated, and their relative abundance in CB group showed no difference between CON and FCB treatments. The abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group in CB treatment was higher than CON and FCB groups (P < 0.05), whereas the population of norank_f_Prevotellaceae was higher in FCB group compared to CON and CB groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary FCB decreased the abundance of bacterial communities, particularly the population of bacteria related to cellulolytic degradation.

Administration of alpha-ketoglutarate improves epithelial restitution under stress injury in early-weaning piglets

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is an important cellular metabolite that participates in energy production and amino acid metabolism. However, the protective effects and mechanism of AKG on mucosal lesions have not been well understood. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary AKG supplementation on epithelial restitution in early-weaning piglets under Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction. A total of 32 weaned piglets were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design; the major factors were dietary treatment (basal diet or AKG diet) and inflammatory challenge (LPS or saline). The results showed that AKG supplementation improved the growth performance and intestinal morphology in the LPS-induced early-weaning piglets. Compared with the basal diet, the AKG diet remarkably decreased the concentration and mRNA expression of intestinal inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12) in the LPS-induced piglets. Moreover, AKG administration upregulated the mRNA expression of nutrient-sensing transporters (GLUT-2, SGLT-1, PEPT-1, I-FABP2) in the small intestine of both saline- and LPS-treated piglets, and improved the distribution and expression of tight-junction genes andproteins (ZO-1, Occludin, Claudins, E-cadherin). Collectively, our findings indicate that AKG has the potential to alleviate intestinal inflammatory response and improve epithelial restitution and nutrient-sensing ability under stress injury in early-weaning piglets, and it also provides an experimental basis for enteral use of AKG in swine production and clinical application to prevent intestinal epithelial damage.